Alex Hammond is a Melbourne-based writer. His debut BLOOD WITNESS was shortlisted for the 2014 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Crime Novel. Its sequel, THE UNBROKEN LINE, was described as "a taut and intelligent thriller."

28 April 2015

Blurb is a lock

As we near publication the final few milestones are rattling by. Right now the final stages of proofing are drawing to a close. As well as pre-order pages going up on bookstore websites, the back cover blurb is now locked in! It's taken a bit of nutting out as there are always challenges – like outlining the premise without giving too much away – but both my editor and I are very happy with the final result:The violence of the past casts a long shadow – a dark legacy with lethal consequences.

When defence lawyer Will Harris is attacked by masked men with a clear message to back off, he has no choice but to listen. If only he knew what they were talking about.

Under siege as his fledgling law firm struggles to get off the ground, Will agrees to defend the troubled son of a family friend. But the case is far from clear-cut, and the ethical boundaries murky. Instead of clawing his way out of trouble, Will finds he's sinking ever deeper.

At the same time, his search for his attackers unearths an unexpected source that points him towards Melbourne's corridors of power. But motives, let alone proofs, are hard to find. It is only when those close to him are threatened that Will realises how near he is to the deadly truth.

Gripping, sophisticated and strikingly atmospheric, The Unbroken Line creates a remarkable portrait of power, revenge and corruption, rooted in a vivid and unmistakably Australian setting.

Praise for Blood Witness

'A slick, fast-paced legal thriller set in Melbourne but with a genuine international flavour and with enough twists to surprise even the most avid fans of the genre.' - West Australian

'Fast-paced and gripping.' - Courier-Mail

'An entertaining and interesting thriller and a great start to a new Australian crime series with lots of potential.' - Book'd Out